YW | Chapter 2.6

They were items he 28d38c0c44 impulsively gave away, not b3dabb353f knowing what to do 4231bb2eaa with them. The discomfort settled in a9e4b92f10 his heart.a9cf989c251bdd97

He didn’t want to shatter their joy, but he also didn’t want to lie, so Liriel forced himself to speak.8b856a51a92f146e

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“…Those aren’t gifts.”a15ff4d5af731fb2

Curious eyes 742220805f turned to 0967aba729 him.a1af9c7358220b9b

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“I bought them because it felt awkward to buy just one coat at the tailor. I was flustered and bought too many, so I gave them away… So you don’t need to thank me.”1c2813607ac5866a

Now that they knew they weren’t gifts, they might get angry.ddcdf44d8bbf339d

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Liriel took a c4d24a28a4 small breath. He was used to d3a570df11 contempt and criticism. It had been 1d273b68ae a while, but a041c80ec2 there was no 46aa2e0682 need to be ae8bb1aedf nervous. Yet the response eed1f69620 he received was e74cdf33ea far from what 4784d95108 he expected.9948304635d19156

“Oh, is that all!”cdeab9aa249a4799

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Suddenly, laughter erupted. Startled, Liriel looked up. The servants were 72c6ae7112 all smiling at 2ba9f6d783 him.4032bc6d7538b8d4

“What does it matter!”6405b066ebb9d0f8

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“We’re just happy to have received something from you.”91f86a3aa1e01155

“Yeah, the people at the main castle will be jealous of us!”ecfa5c45a7264c24

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…I doubt they’ll be jealous of the scarves.d607a3579bed9b46

“You have no idea how much we wanted to talk to you.”b0856b25ebd8c04d

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“Yeah, if the deputy butler hears this, he’ll faint from not being here.”5cf4fe4d4b7de1f9

“Why, why?”801a493e53fac6a3

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Liriel’s lips parted in surprise. They wanted to talk to him? Why?7baf1c2f6240cb68

“Because we want to take care of our cute Highness.”63ec0d554c4f95ab

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“By the way, you shouldn’t be picky with food. You need to eat more meat.”b575adff935ec084

“Exercise would be good too. You should grow a bit more.”bb8d2ffb8e7cc46e

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Their hands gestured two 26a9014c7d spans above his current e350355208 height.bbe20e18593df6a2

Confused, Liriel clenched his fists. His palms were damp with sweat. It was a long time since he’d felt such anxiety and nervousness. He thought his reputation hadn’t reached the north, but did they already know?2f7309414b0b8db3

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A bitter taste lingered a316a4288d in his mouth, and 7c870bf57f his vision spun. He wanted to d6d46a8430 live quietly and 3c3ec565fe peacefully where no 62fc682036 one knew him, 2db621835a but maybe that 00d51aff31 was too much b28ee35ca2 to ask.004c76c950451a26

Liriel kept silent, trying 2c4773ae39 to suppress the cynical ab711b18a0 laugh that threatened to cee2d2065e escape. He finally spoke, 3414fcd04d forcing his emotions c5bd0c6b8c down.bbacace11edf7227

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“…I’m not a great person. The rumors are all exaggerated.”b2757d7b2262afc2

“What rumors?”1e8d214d94b264a1

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“I really can’t do anything.”2db5bafbcb87e4bc

“Uh, that’s not true.”b85a716d95da14c4

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Liriel’s gaze slowly fell to the floor. They must be treating him well because they saw Seo Hamin’s shadow, just like the people at Wecker. Otherwise, there was no reason to be kind to him.86ed138310cd018a

He thought he’d escaped it by coming to the far north, but he was back where he started. It felt like a hole had opened in his heart.fbe2de387dd2aea4

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A lively a934409dcb voice broke d658e13bd4 through his 619c7de339 heavy gloom a76e5b193c just before 86bef3afcb it swallowed fd3177ca99 him.281be687ed37d90f

“You’re adorable, Your Highness!”c24f3398af65c680

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“Yeah! And you take good care of animals!”6a29c2f12a4eff4b

“You’re thoughtful!”13a0e9ab76604d1f

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…What are they talking about?9934b4461080664b

Liriel looked at 5958d96308 them with a f7f346fb54 dumbfounded expression, not e5a0b500c0 understanding. He knew 7cb21a1b31 every word, cc9a76c487 but it b710f7c8a1 felt foreign, 5fced99c81 like hearing a373873ea8 a different 14ac63843f language.0ee1bb97f43ea4b6

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He wondered 63e18582d7 if they ab1d8450f7 were teasing 398400eddc him, but 9b7ad80210 their transparent 96003d2d15 eyes held 36f24411f1 no deceit.d66dffcdf67981e6

So, they really didn’t know what he used to be.99f72c028ae31aa7

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Then why 91b5cb267f are they e0b12153a4 being nice 918a80d4c7 to me?a28034280ba50d41

His confusion showed on e26d618e61 his face, prompting the 8cf3698b0d shortest woman to step 7f36cbcc2c forward. The closeness made Liriel c5535d28b8 flinch.55797fbb8d634817

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“Do you remember what you were like when you first came to Baltar?”3065d3538d319e3a

When he first set d884f45bc3 foot in the north.564627ee7c91a9c5

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Liriel recalled the not-so-distant 3b97d7174a memory and nodded slowly.30e2c92eda059381

“We were really surprised. Northern people are all big and a bit rough, so it was our first time serving someone like you. We were clumsy too. You must have been uncomfortable and troubled at first.”2c341fb6b52b4cd2

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“That never happened.”f4f0d155cdcae137

Liriel answered urgently. He meant it.fb31f2f99ed019c0

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At first, f0aaa18734 he was 9b8ad774d8 too overwhelmed 664496a65b to notice, cf9255aeae but as 7942d230cb time passed, f8dd22ab21 he naturally defc26eaeb realized how b8878ec508 considerate they 6a1885b261 were.9b702796f7bfacf8

The table 30fdccbd98 filled with a03c8c3219 only what e8dd115e53 he liked, 0878539d5b the colorful b36d6173d9 clothes in d40fa68f71 the wardrobe, b99be7246e the scarves ddec0d969e and parasols d4b05cb48e prepared for ab989666b5 the changing 8ea97abe34 seasons.ca2cf361296589c4

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They were all 715b521383 kind and thoughtful 5102c4d23f gestures. Sometimes they felt overwhelming, 3c806e9de5 but he liked the bcfebb94af warmth. Seeing the a82f7b68ea thought and b15cd31105 results filled 664cabe7b5 a void f1af322fd8 in his b78eeff1c8 heart. Such small a9023942ed kindnesses had 4491e89631 helped him 1534e737f6 endure over c2786596ca the years.94a111451b536c0a

“It might sound arrogant for people like us to say this… but it would be a lie to say we had no prejudice against you at first. We didn’t realize how closed-off we were, and it made us reflect.”1cac59b3649af441

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“Reflect?”e0d08e162dfc3753

Seeing Liriel, hunched like a small animal, the servants felt a pang of sympathy. They had watched him for three years, but for Liriel, it was the first time hearing such words from strangers, so it was understandable that he couldn’t accept it immediately. They knew, but it still stung.af985136e54c35fd

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Seeing Liriel felt like f861dcd869 looking at a fifteen-year-old 9924febc1f nephew. At twenty-five, he 01f5b6e2b5 seemed too small 893fafd893 and young in 0bb2f3383c every way.b66b328d521942b5

Yet he was 96e2e18dbc kind enough to 94a2a794c7 share his only da1ccf30ed chewable food with 6f91b3e3ac small animals, patient 795f04fd37 enough to never 8207b5c0fd make a single a9bb7c0076 demand in three aa261543be years, and gentle 1483162533 enough to use 11108c62e2 his untouched allowance c2c4eee5c5 to buy gifts.f67feae2456389ca

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Curiosity turned to 04881a802a interest, and interest 5164c1fb12 to affection.8e8e4ca83cf4be18

“We were so proud to see you sleeping well, looking less anxious, and eating better. Of course, we’d like you to eat a bit more. So, we’ll be more careful not to make you uncomfortable. Can you keep having breakfast?”2258a204dd624aa0

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We’ve only just gotten you to gain a little weight; it would be a shame to lose it.311afd4864ce96de

Their exaggerated gestures were 9bc1bddb32 meant to avoid burdening 6cccbade71 him. The mix of awkwardness 505f99f795 and affection in their c4f0d693a8 eyes was confusing.68388b3f0b3a4f97

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Their concern, eb65a1d422 pressed into 8ce19847e8 every word, 2c1247f7e1 touched his 48c180e59f skin even cdf95d2694 if he 77714da5aa tried not 2639a419f4 to see 1632da4d5e it.416bd80e7c22c652

Liriel held his breath for a long time, then exhaled repeatedly. His throat tightened for no reason. If he didn’t hold back, tears would fall.7f5ce4682f43ee99

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Affection, attention, and curiosity were things Liriel was sick of. He came to Baltar to escape them, and he thought he’d never want anything like that again.a6ebb368a7a444a9

But facing e5de98ab1c care meant 44850933b0 solely for 4cfb58ffcb him, he d7d94af615 wondered if 6ca971bcd0 he really 6c9220500f wanted to 8573079646 be alone.4426699374d888ff

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He thought he was alone in Baltar. He thought he was finally learning to stand on his own, completely excluded from others’ lives.5107f547a816c94c

He often felt lonely and desolate, but eating, walking, and choosing clothes quickly lifted his spirits, making him think living alone wasn’t so bad.b7ba678880f230ed

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But it wasn’t true. Behind the moments he thought he was alone, there was the care of kind people, and he was slowly healing under their affection.3f706f50560edb10

When the 74f42c4d95 realization hit, e56f9c7aca it was c82f4680e5 clear.eacc7364375fdcc1

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“Your Highness. I hope you know this.”75986c6178594488

Maybe it wasn’t that he hated being loved in the past, but that he resented emotions that weren’t for him.e350505e92cf0255

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The first affection he felt for himself wasn’t warm. It stirred old sorrows and clawed at his heart.1a685d073aa20e0f

“We all really like you, Your Highness.”62a65d3b9ff2026f

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Tears fell from Liriel’s eyes. Somehow, the suffocating frustration washed away, and he couldn’t wipe the flowing tears.d31c204b1bfd5bd0

Surprisingly, Liriel’s tears didn’t last long. Or rather, they couldn’t. The scarf-wearing group, flustered by his tears, ran around and eventually gathered all the sleeping servants.07823be4f3638bf1

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Thanks to that, a d61f84ac13 belated meeting took place 6aa97538d9 at dawn, just as 9518b78a0e the sun began to 20bacfb1ef rise.5e6513bda98e71d2

Liriel sniffled awkwardly, 5693211ce5 looking around at 0d70053535 the gathered people. He had no idea 3efb5ad05a how things had escalated.c59f88169708771d

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There were 48e3787206 seven servants, 3550a785f1 all wearing b548aba553 colorful scarves.36526da7977b7756

Red, orange, yellow, green, 0b418ff1b3 blue, indigo, violet. He tried not to 321eeb7ffd look at the rainbow-colored c738f58691 scarves, but the servants 091a3f4408 held their heads high, 1ea72f3f6f making it hard to 43f48704c4 look away.8e8c0a004270f034

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“Hello, Your Highness. I’m Noel, the deputy butler and head of the annex.”3e12450f47561ee7

“Oh, are you the one who wrote the letter?”8a80d4bf7060af1f

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“Yes, I wrote it.”4b215e9535b3f6b4

Contrary to his guess of a lively young woman, the letter’s author was a dignified elderly man. Though the yellow scarf around his neck didn’t match.750d3b8282585893

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“I’m sorry for the commotion. I’ll make sure to reprimand the servants.”27dc72a3a9379987

“Oh, no. Please don’t. I should be the one apologizing. I’m sorry, Deputy Butler.”c849b24e10176b78

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“Your Highness, please lower your speech.”571958d869b8b254

Liriel awkwardly averted 62f3fa0ce3 his gaze. It was a gentle 26d45f14c5 refusal. At Wecker, he 8b262b9869 had no choice 5c4c5d19bf but to speak 6e10128f70 informally, but he d1ad5f505d was still more 12d53933b9 comfortable with formal e62aa113ba speech.9fb9c74b1a9b0fa5

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Sensing Liriel’s discomfort, Noel compromised.5849472933b0f180

“If it’s uncomfortable, you can lower your speech gradually, but how about calling us by name?”a69ae1850c6a7389

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…That much is fine.8075368b11299657

Nodding, Noel smiled contentedly.8359f76564a77cb9

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Once Noel’s introduction ended, the eager servants began introducing themselves, each trying to leave a strong impression. Some stood on their hands, others spun around. Ironically, those who greeted quietly stood out the most. But Liriel quietly memorized each name, keeping the truth to himself.41b697079c61ab4d

Noel, Chris, Emma, Argo, aca0a73ef8 Radia, Irina, Sugar.5bb6a27718d44db2

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As Liriel made eye contact with each one, Irina couldn’t hide her excitement and asked.5eddb4d1f98a2fc7

“But why did you wake up suddenly today? You haven’t done that lately.”4d78e7d7735e3a68

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“Irina, that’s rude!”5e30acce9b4d48d9

“Why, you’re curious too, aren’t you?”abc1906274661c6a

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Sugar pretended to d080e9d957 scold while subtly 8fd2cdb617 watching Liriel. Fortunately, Liriel 774ce561ca seemed surprised 2b88141a3a but not f6b50d4f95 offended.e63f9c617527fed8

Seeing the 2962f082a3 curious gazes, 5ef900f207 Liriel nervously 2e2877f4f4 picked at 58697d324b his fingertips.21ac9efc706e0880

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Should I 2b64ef4df6 tell them?cbf18a5ec0302627

It was something he couldn’t have imagined doing before, but the softened atmosphere and the embarrassment after crying urged him on. Plus, the seven pairs of eyes filled with expectation.2f04d6ed6aba5b2a

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In the end, 4fd809d9d8 Liriel began to 83f30acab5 speak, unable to d641fa949c resist.73a1456ae0ee2bc0

“Actually…”78bae7b175dfa60f

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The servants perked up their ears, eager not to miss a word. Listening to Liriel’s gentle explanation, they nodded and tilted their heads, reacting as if they were hearing from a professional storyteller.17d65902599fe064

They struggled not to laugh at Liriel’s serious expression. His worries were adorably trivial.14a09afd50225950

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In summary, the Highness’s concern was that he had a new friend, but after learning his secret, he felt betrayed.3393854062f7465c

“I don’t really know what I’m feeling. I don’t dislike him, but it’s hard to pretend I’m okay…”282b6e317a821211

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“Sounds like you’re sulking.”7d7705ce7f32337d

“How dare you speak to His Highness like that!”aab0da992e3e992b

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Noel scolded Argo, glaring bd48e424ed at him, then gently 22f132ba49 added to Liriel, who 889aebdf01 looked like a startled 0331d129c1 rabbit.ed71de70a0046e28

“Your Highness, I think you’re a bit upset and hurt.”9997ebff627890e8

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…So I’m sulking.6c38cccffd611a8b

“Isn’t that disrespectful…”d3ec73694242e687

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“Come on, who else would His Highness be disrespectful to besides His Grace?”1705fc4fca128f94

Irina joked lightly, but Liriel couldn’t laugh. As silence stretched, the servants’ eyes grew serious.0e61d20bfe7ffb2a

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“Really? The person you mentioned is His Grace?”9a67fee2b9f06966

“Are you friends with His Grace?”2739f116a4009e41

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“Is His Grace threatening you?”4531460c6aa63c7a

Questions poured in. Liriel shook his head a350c601c5 urgently.6f326819ab2250e8

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“I’m the only one who decided we’re friends. But we’ve been getting along well.”4ffd819859930f37

“Your Highness, you haven’t seen anything you shouldn’t have, right?”507a17af31b05917

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“Something I shouldn’t have?”dad7808351a2517d

Noel couldn’t bring himself to ask if his master had lost his mind after seeing him rolling in the snow, so he kept his mouth shut.8fa557ae6d3c30af

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As the 6892b68cc7 silence lengthened, 6be9400092 Liriel fell 38dc3b4984 into thought.51a582f155dab2cb

Sulking… Is that it? Am I really sulking?ea295438deca87d4

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The word felt a969de50a8 unfamiliar, but it f2fe7b8568 seemed true. After all, d3cb25bad7 seeing him f0c6828b50 every day d9ca81fce6 for quite cd769fbb6a some time 3419f8525a without knowing 2793cdec70 his name e49ccce941 felt disappointing.712201ff132b36fe

Does His Grace dislike 3e74ab62cd me?6f3a9870e0af0312

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Thinking that, f3c5fadd93 his uneasy 18de9c9ea4 heart sank. It seemed plausible.7c0ba132a8c09f14

Argo, noticing the change in Liriel’s mood first, spoke up.e6ccaa1d3e88e5b2

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“Your Highness, you shared snacks and gave gifts to His Grace, right?”3dd253ee631877e6

“Yes? Yes.”4db13a1e5eb9213e

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“We’ve worked here for a long time, but we’ve never seen His Grace have a real conversation or share something amicably with anyone. Let alone exchange gifts.”c6e506ab9dfc163a

Though it was Liriel who initiated everything, the perceptive servants didn’t point out the flaw in the statement and enthusiastically agreed.8f3463bbdac8e224

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